I am not going to be writing for a week or so. My daughter, Jordan, will be visiting for the next week and my brain cells will be pleasantly occupied with her rather than lamenting about the flood of major issues facing this country. That should make everyone happy!!
Since I won’t be writing this week, and today is Father’s Day, I thought I would change gears a little and write about that. There are a couple of stories concerning the beginning of Father’s Day. In one account, the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910 and was prompted after a woman listened to a sermon about Mother’s Day and figured that fathers deserved similar honoring. In the second account, the first Father’s Day was celebrated July 5th, 1908 when a woman thought it appropriate to honor all of the fathers who were killed in a major mine explosion. Perhaps they are both true but it doesn’t really matter. Father’s Day has been around for more than 100 years.
Father’s Day was picked up and is celebrated at various times of the year around the world. The following is a list of when Father’s Day is celebrated in various countries.
- March 14– Iran
- March 19– Bolivia, Honduras, Italy, Lichtenstein, Portugal, Spain
- May 8– South Korea
- First Sunday in June– Lithuania
- Second Sunday in June– Austria, Ecuador, Belgium
- Third Sunday in June– Antigua, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saint Vincent, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Trinidad, Turkey, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
- June 17– El Salvador, Guatemala
- June 23– Nicaragua, Poland, Uganda
- Second Sunday in July– Uruguay
- Last Sunday in July– Dominican Republic
- Second Sunday in August– Brazil
- August 8– Taiwan, China
- August 24– Argentina
- First Sunday in September– Australia, New Zealand
- New Moon of September– Nepal
- First Sunday in October– Luxembourg
- Second Sunday in November– Estonia, Finland, Norway, Sweden
- December 5– Thailand
Like so many things in our world today, Father’s Day has become a huge commercial undertaking for many businesses. Father’s Day sales abound for all kinds of things: tools, BBQ equipment, ties, etc., etc. That’s all fine and good, but for me, in some ways, the celebration is a bit turned around.
I can’t speak for all fathers, but for me, Father’s Day, is really a time for me to reflect on how lucky I am to be a father. There was a time in my life when I couldn’t imagine being a father. I suppose part of that is my own family background but, whatever the reason, fatherhood just wasn’t in the life plan. Little did I realize how much joy the adventure of fatherhood could bring.
As we all know, there is no manual that comes with a child. Most parents, in general, try to do the best they can with what they have. I have never claimed to be the best father and I certainly have my flaws. But in spite of all of my flaws and the mistakes I’ve made, I am beyond privileged to be a father to my daughter who has grown into an amazing young woman.
A lot of us go through life chasing more money, promotions, big houses, fancy cars, and lots of things. The fact is, if you are father to a child or children who turn out to be happy, respectful, and caring people, you are a rich person. And I include myself in that category.
Today is Father’s Day. I am a father. And for that, I am forever grateful. It’s by far the most challenging and the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.
Happy Father’s Day!